Community to come together for Wheatfield Family Picnic

Shown is a scene from last year's Wheatfield Family Picnic. (File photo)

By Lauren Zaepfel

Tribune Editor

The 38th annual Wheatfield Family Picnic is around the
corner, offering eventgoers various activities, entertainment and food.

The event, organized by a group of 11 volunteer Wheatfield
residents, is slated for Sunday, Aug. 21, at Fairmount Park, 3185 Stieg Road.

"This picnic is, perhaps, the greatest of town events - a
day of simple enjoyment for all who attend," Town Supervisor Robert B. Cliffe
said. "There is something for everyone starting with church services, music,
great local food, and events all throughout the park. I think that everyone
enjoys their time there, especially the kids."

John Donner, Wheatfield Family Picnic committee chairman
said, "The picnic is very family-friendly." He added, "It's open to the public.
It's free. All expenses, accept for food, are covered by the picnic sponsors."

Donner said the committee works to integrate local
organizations and businesses in the picnic, as well as "activities for every
generation." He added, "We provide an all-inclusive day for the town residents."

The day will begin with American Legion Post No. 1451
raising the flag at 10:45 a.m. Blessings will be said and Cliffe will speak.
Two church services, one Catholic and one Protestant, will take place at 11
a.m. Picnic festivities, including several children's activities, will run from
noon until 5 p.m.

Niagara Alliance Church of Wheatfield will host a kid's
carnival with an ever-popular dunk tank, games, face painting and magic show
(2-3 p.m.).

"We're very honored to be part of the event," Niagara
Alliance Church administrator Melissa Heidelberger said. "Everyone who comes
out and volunteers has a great time."

She added the picnic is "a great way for people to come out
and know that this is a caring community where everyone works together."

In addition to the kid's carnival, a "kids fest" will
feature a bounce house, games and crafts. The Kiwanis Club of
Niagara-Wheatfield will host a beanbag toss and children's book exchange, while
the Wheatfield Business Association will provide balloon animals.

Hayrides, a rock-climbing wall, petting zoo, pony rides (1-4
p.m.), a gold fish toss game (put on by Cub Scout Pack 833), bingo (2-4 p.m.)
and music by Nathan Zarbo will be offered. The Historical Society of North
German Settlements will have a display set up with information on Wheatfield's
heritage. Mount St. Mary's Hospital will provide blood pressure testing and the
Wheatfield Nitros softball teams will hold a basket raffle.

Representatives of local animal-rescue organizations will be
on hand to educate eventgoers, as well. Sky Hunter's - Birds of Prey will show
hawks, owls and a bald eagle.

"They are one of few groups in this country that are
actually allowed to legally own a bald eagle," Zarbo said. "The only reason why
they can is because it's injured and it can't fly. Otherwise, it would have
been released back into the wild. ... What they're doing is they're educating
people with an animal that could not take care of itself."

The Sanborn animal shelter Wild Critters of Niagara County
will be in attendance and the SPCA of Niagara will bring animals up for
adoption. Members of a greyhound rescue team will offer information on how to
adopt the dogs, as well.

The Wheels of Wheatfield Classic Car Show will also be
featured.

"There's various classes that you enter your car in and
there will be trophies for each class," said Don Dee, secretary/treasurer of
the Wheatfield Family Picnic committee. "And the car show entrants will vote
for the winners - the people who enter cars themselves will choose the
winners." Trophies will be awarded at 4 p.m.

From 12:30-1:30 p.m. the Bergholz German Band (Bergholz
Blaskapelle) will perform and, at 1:30 p.m., the Niagara County Sheriff's
Office will put on a canine demonstration.

For eventgoers' safety and convenience, Adams Fire Co. will
have a tent set up for first aid services (if needed). Town park employees will
be on hand to assist with cleanup efforts.

Besides the variety of activities and offerings, several
food options will be available throughout the event. Offered will be coffee and
Timbits by the Kiwanis Club of Niagara-Wheatfield; chicken chowder from the
Bergholz Fire Co; souvlaki and gyro pitas, pizza, hamburgers, sausage and fries
from the Meeting Place restaurant; cinnamon almonds, popcorn and candy snacks
from the Nut Hut; ice cream treats from Schwan's; hot dogs via the Wheatfield
Democratic Club; roast beef sandwiches and corn on the cob from the Wheatfield
Republican Club; Chiavetta's chicken dinners by Wheatfield Nitros softball
teams; and pop and bottled water by Project Future.

Dee said, "What's special about it is that it's free and it
supported by mostly Wheatfield businesses, and ... (it's) one more nice thing
(available) for the residents."

Past chairman and committee member Mike Zarbo attributes the
picnic's success to both the "core of volunteers who do whatever's necessary to
organize the event and, mostly, the people, the businesses in town who donate
the money for us to be able to pay for everything."

He added, "Because everything is free, except for the food,
you can afford to bring your family there and spend the day and enjoy
yourself."